Rob Ford's Toronto

[VTB]

The whole story, Fantino and JF interference

My feelings too. If there is any possible connection to RoFo at all, it would be the unsubstantiated rumour mentioned up thread about JF's alleged fondness for escorts. But even that would be a stretch, I just can't see JF partying with RoFo at Musik, for example.

 

[Dubster]

The rumour is Fantino was pulling strings with some of his old cop buddies to interfere with the investigation. Maybe he was doing so at the request of JF. But my best source thinks that story is silly.

You still think TPS has anything?

 

[christiesplits]

I have no idea what this has to do with Rob Ford, but Frank magazine for some time has been insinuating that Jim Flaherty had a drinking problem, offering as evidence:
-anonymous sources
-suspicious deletions from hotel bills (minibar raids?)
-this video of him speaking while allegedly 'overrefreshed'
-missing meetings at the recent G20
-emotional response to questions about Ford's crack-up

Also Kinsella's not-so-subtle headline two months ago
http://warrenkinsella.com/2014/02/b...closest-aides-are-johnny-walker-and-jim-beam/

 

[newearthling]

He's dead. If he was an alcoholic, he's cured now. If he pulled strings for Ford, those strings have now been snipped.

I am not sure why people are being so deferential to JF. Yes, he has passed on, but he left Canada a much worse place than he found it.

 

[TOBorn]

I am not sure why people are being so deferential to JF. Yes, he has passed on, but he left Canada a much worse place than he found it.

Not being deferential, just pointing out that he's now relegated to 'old news' as we all will be one day. Whatever influence he had is now gone. As with all public figures, others will take his place. Cronyism will continue if we continue to accept this as our lot. We, the people, may have to resort to looking at political neophytes in order to interrupt the unfortunate cycle of corrupt political appointees we have found ourselves beholden to. It may be time to pin our hopes of redemption on a candidate with no history or known political connections. Does that sound naive? Maybe, but now, in the day of the internet is it possible to find a candidate without smelly connections? Yes. That should be our goal. There must be someone out there who is not corrupt. Let's find him, or her, and stop this revolting cycle.

 

[JWBF]

Not being deferential, just pointing out that he's now relegated to 'old news' as we all will be one day. Whatever influence he had is now gone. As with all public figures, others will take his place. Cronyism will continue if we continue to accept this as our lot. We, the people, may have to resort to looking at political neophytes in order to interrupt the unfortunate cycle of corrupt political appointees we have found ourselves beholden to. It may be time to pin our hopes of redemption on a candidate with no history or known political connections. Does that sound naive? Maybe, but now, in the day of the internet is it possible to find a candidate without smelly connections? Yes. That should be our goal. There must be someone out there who is not corrupt. Let's find him, or her, and stop this revolting cycle.

Nice mixture of cynicism and optimism.

 

[VintagePunk]

You still think TPS has anything?

I'd like to hear Jimmi's response, but my take is that they have to. I find it hard to believe that they would go for months making increasingly smug comments to the press if they had nothing. That would be setting themselves up for a hell of a fall, which I'm sure they wouldn't do, when they could have taken a "no comment" stance and kept relatively quiet while sussing out the situation. They had/have something, but then something went terribly wrong. Let's hope they can put the pieces back together to make something of this.

 

[TOBorn]

Nice mixture of cynicism and optimism.

Thanks. I aim to please.

 

[jml]

I'd like to hear Jimmi's response, but my take is that they have to. I find it hard to believe that they would go for months making increasingly smug comments to the press if they had nothing. That would be setting themselves up for a hell of a fall, which I'm sure they wouldn't do, when they could have taken a "no comment" stance and kept relatively quiet while sussing out the situation. They had/have something, but then something went terribly wrong. Let's hope they can put the pieces back together to make something of this.

Jimmi T said the other day that last he's heard, it's all good on that front, there's just a ton of info on Lisi's iPhone that they have to sort through. I don't think any of that has even gone to the OPP yet.

 

[VintagePunk]

Jimmi T said the other day that last he's heard, it's all good on that front, there's just a ton of info on Lisi's iPhone that they have to sort through. I don't think any of that has even gone to the OPP yet.

The bravado from the TPS started before the trip to Apple. I thought at the time that the Apple stuff they were seeking was just to shore up their case, and that they were pretty certain of charges even before then.

 

[TOBorn]

This has been on my mind since Jim Flaherty's death and I really need to unload it - prednisone, a drug that is unfortunately necessary in some medical cases, is horribly evil. The side effects can be debilitating. I was on it for two months many years ago and can attest to it's unpleasant side effects. I was quite young at the time and my experience with it was short-lived so, thankfully, I never had to discover the long term effects. In researching it recently, I've read that it can have adverse effects on blood pressure, BUT, anyone taking this drug is followed closely by the prescribing physician. I would think that in the case of a high profile figure this follow-up would be, indeed, quite intense. Mood swings are a common side effect (note JF's teary defence of RF), moon face (Google photos of Mr. Flaherty), as are insomnia and depression. I can assure you that the insomnia can be extremely worrisome and can affect every aspect of life. When JF's death was first reported my initial reaction was 'oh no, here's collateral damage from RF's antics' and I must admit that those thoughts have not entirely dissipated. Long story short, are we getting the entire truth as to the cause of Jim Flaherty's demise? And will we ever know for sure?

 

[anne]

Not being deferential, just pointing out that he's now relegated to 'old news' as we all will be one day. Whatever influence he had is now gone. As with all public figures, others will take his place. Cronyism will continue if we continue to accept this as our lot. We, the people, may have to resort to looking at political neophytes in order to interrupt the unfortunate cycle of corrupt political appointees we have found ourselves beholden to. It may be time to pin our hopes of redemption on a candidate with no history or known political connections. Does that sound naive? Maybe, but now, in the day of the internet is it possible to find a candidate without smelly connections? Yes. That should be our goal. There must be someone out there who is not corrupt. Let's find him, or her, and stop this revolting cycle.

People are their own worst enemies. Do you know what they say when a candidate has no previous ties? They say they have no experience.

There are plenty of candidates currently running for Mayor who have no ties. They also have no money, no donations and no press coverage. There should be a citizens group which examines all these candidates and then sponsors their run for office because there is no way they'd get there through present political channels.

 

[OSS 117]

People are their own worst enemies. Do you know what they say when a candidate has no previous ties? They say they have no experience.

There are plenty of candidates currently running for Mayor who have no ties. They also have no money, no donations and no press coverage. There should be a citizens group which examines all these candidates and then sponsors their run for office because there is no way they'd get there through present political channels.

I think the problem with people who want to run for Mayor without experience in either politics or industry, is that they're seen as wanting to jump the queue and achieve the highest elected office possible (outside of party politics) without putting in the work and paying their dues as, say, a Councillor. It sort of smells of hubris and irrationality, and I think it's pretty natural that people are unwilling to toss their support behind people who want to go from zero to Mayor overnight.

 

[TOBorn]

People are their own worst enemies. Do you know what they say when a candidate has no previous ties? They say they have no experience.

There are plenty of candidates currently running for Mayor who have no ties. They also have no money, no donations and no press coverage. There should be a citizens group which examines all these candidates and then sponsors their run for office because there is no way they'd get there through present political channels.

I agree, and with great verbosity and eloquence I must addd, that sucks!

 

[sno man]

I am not sure why people are being so deferential to JF. Yes, he has passed on, but he left Canada a much worse place than he found it.

At the risk of taking this even further off topic, he did have the good sense to carry on the Lib policies against his preference because they were going to be better for the country. We could use a few more politicians like that, especially among the Cons. That he held his tongue, or looked the other way as Harper shreds the fabric of the country does take some of the shine off that, but imagine where we'd be if he'd gone full austerity like a big C no P conservative...